Thursday, 31 May 2012

The upcoming Full Moon in Sagittarius on the 4th June will be special; at the same time, a Lunar eclipse will take place, and the combination of the Lovers/Temperance energies together with a Lunar eclipse indicates the need to face shadow aspects of the way we conduct our relationships. This can be highly emotional, passionate and unsettling, but also cleansing, healing and rebalancing.

Eclipse energy tends to initiate movement; issues or situations will be resolved, concluded or let go of, but in the Sagittarius Full Moon this should be good news.

Both Tarot cards relating to the Gemini/Sagittarius combination depict angels; the Temperance Archangel Michael is protecting and illuminating, while the Lovers' Archangel Raphael helps with healing and reconciliation (see also Tarot & Angels). We are blessed with angelic healing energies.

The Lovers/Temperance combination of air and fire is a friendly one; even if a relationship came to an end at this time, it would be for the best, and we'd know it.

The focus of the forthcoming Gemini/Sagittarius/Lunar Eclipse will be on healing relationships. This can include:

coming to terms with and resolving conflict

be open-minded about new ideas and perceptions; they will initiate movement and progress

choose to be with someone, who values and appreciates you

making choices that are healthy and healing

a relationship or situation comes to an end, or there is final closure

honest and open communication

make choices that are loving towards yourself

let go of unrealistic expectations; be more flexible and tolerant

Relax, forgive and heal.

What to avoid: over-analysing, being controlling, stubborn, narrow-minded, selfish and stuck in your ways.

Enjoy the forthcoming full moon, and be mindful about using its energies towards harmonising, rebalancing and healing your most precious and important relationships - and yourself!

Christiane

PS: My Tarot Astrology eCourse will be available in Summer 2012. Join my mailing list to receive updates and special offers.

Monday, 28 May 2012

Background story to this image: I recently planted some sunflower seeds, had far too many and just put one half-heartedly into the porch plant pot. And just when I thought it was eaten by a bird, the seedling emerged a few days later at the edge of the pot. You can still see the seed shell attached (the seedling's little baggage ;)), and the seedling is faced towards the sun by the edge; only I know how deep that drop is ;)

If all goes well, this little seedling will turn into a beautiful sunflower and return to the deck later as the Sun!

Talking about new beginnings, I have recently moved my old website to WordPress. Although it still needs some work doing, I'm so pleased with it. Why don't you have a look:

Thursday, 24 May 2012

I don't know about you, but over the last couple of months I have noticed subtle changes going on inside me, and I have the feeling that they will turn out to be profound and transformational over the next 12 months. For example, I have become more confident about my abilities; I can deal with criticism and ignorance in a more tolerant way; I'm more self-reliant. I have the urge to share my knowledge, wisdom and spirituality with you and many others, in order to help lots of people to turn their own dreams into reality and fulfil their potential. I have never EVER written so much like I have done recently on this blog! Whatever is going on inside me, I love it ;)

Perhaps it's all down to that Mayan 2012 prophecy. Last year I wrote a post on my old blog about it and its connection (how I see it) to the Tarot. I re-publish it here with some updates:

The 21st December 2012 is a significant date in the Mayan calendar; on this day the 13thbaktun (cycle) is coming to an end after more than 5000 years. The Mayans were excellent astrologers; their calendar is based on the solar system and the movements of the stars. We know that there is an astrological reason, why the Mayans determined 21/12/2012 as the last day of the current cycle. On that particular day, all planets in our solar system will align with the black hole situated at the centre of our galaxy, the milky way. But don’t worry! It’s unlikely that we all get sucked into it, yet if you are familiar with astrological occurrences and how they can affect our lives on Earth, then you might wonder, what the 21st December 2012 will have in store for us.

The Mayans already knew about this date centuries ago, and so did Medieval alchemists and occult scholars in our Western civilisation. The most prominent one, Nostradamus, has also mentioned this date in his Lost Manuscript together with images of a wheel, sun, moon, and angels, which are all symbols found in the Tarot images.

Now that I’ve mentioned the Middle Ages, I can start to explore the connection between the date 21/12/2012 and the Tarot, which first appeared in Europe in the 15th century. Does the Tarot tell us anything about what to expect on that special day? From a numerology point of view, we can assign the following trump cards to this date:

21 – The World12 – The Hanged Man20 – Judgement11 – Justice; you get this number when you add up the numbers of the date.

In addition, you can also include The Fool (no. 0), The Magician (no.1) and the High Priestess (no.2).

All these cards seem to make sense; there's a completion of a cycle (The World), a need for sacrifice (Hanged Man) after evaluation (Judgement) and adjustment (Justice).

Perhaps this is a sign to get back to basics and make a new start (The Fool). The High Priestess and the Magician (trump 1 and 2) suggest opposites to be integrated into a new World order (no. 21 the World = combining trump 1 + 2 numerically).

Personally I don’t believe in doom and gloom predictions. Instead, I feel that major changes are coming our way on a more personal level, which could sometimes be uncomfortable but eventually will lead to a more sustainable development and evolution of humankind and our planet. Number 12 features twice in the date - the Hanged Man - which could emphasise the necessity to make a sacrifice, or indeed the ability to progress will be put on hold for a while.

It is unlikely that anything noticeable is likely to happen globally on 21/12/2012; it’s more likely to be a phase of change that has already started and is said to reach its climax some time in 2013.

But wait a minute! Apparently, some destructive solar storms will hit our planet in 2013 according to NASA. Check out the article in the Daily Telegraph, but let's not panic at this stage ;)

In the meantime, feel free to comment and share your thoughts on this topic. Are you feeling a kind of shift or transformation in your life?

Saturday, 19 May 2012

How often do you compare yourself with others? And how often does that make you feel down and insecure?

If you are a budding artist, writer or entrepreneur, or you are working hard building a rewarding career in any other discipline, you will always come across people, who are further ahead than you.

They may already be in a position where you want to be. They seem to be more popular, or perhaps they make more money than you.

Whilst you're working your socks off to make a living, they seem to have accomplished that level of security and success that you are yearning for.

And whilst you keep comparing yourself and start to despair about your imagined inadequacies, the gap between your current position and your goal will become larger as your confidence and self-esteem gradually go down the drain.

So now is a good time to change the way you think, and here are some tips on how to do it:

There will always be people more successful than you. Some may even seem more talented. Get over it! That doesn't mean there isn't a place for you in Successville. Nobody is better than you, just DIFFERENT. Find your own niche based on your strengths and skills and create something unique in your own style.

Learn from the people you admire. Study their work and how they operate; along the way you will discover some "tricks of the trade" you may not have thought of before.

Network, communicate and build relationships with like-minded people including those you admire. Always give kindness, respect and support. You will find that this will be given to you in return.

Admire and be INSPIRED. Never imitate other people's work or personalities. You are unique, and you have something special to offer to the world. Develop your own ideas, style and personality.

Be true to yourself. Don't let others stop you from following your dream. In the end, you have to live with the decisions you make, not them. Surround yourself with people, who encourage and support you.

Be grateful for constructive criticism; you will learn from it, and it will help you progress.

There's no such thing as failure as long as you keep going and love what you do. Always be open to new ideas, new directions and new possibilities.

Use a mantra or affirmation to switch your negative self-image into a positive one. Stop saying “I’ll never be as good as her” and say instead: “I am good at what I do, and I’m learning and getting better every day.” Keep repeating the positive self-talk and you will begin to recognise your worth.

Remember, you can choose what to think, so focus on thoughts that increase your self-esteem and make you feel empowered.

By simply being aware of your thoughts and knowing you can alter them already empowers you to control their quality.

Here are some ways to help you increase your self-esteem and escape the compare-and-despair-trap:

1. Make a list about your characteristics, strengths, talents, skills, gifts and abilities and how you utilise them. What actions do you take to demonstrate your qualities?

2. Write down what you love and admire about yourself.

3. Create your mantras and affirmations to remind you of your power (pull some Tarot or oracle cards for inspiration).

4. When you feel negative about yourself, what could you do to help you feel better?

5. Think of activities you enjoy, people and pets who makes you happy, places you love… and anything else that brings a smile on your face – make a list of all those positive things around you and you start shifting your focus on the good stuff going on in your life.

Regular positive self-evaluation will help you strengthen and maintain a healthy level of self-esteem.

Write it all down. Record it in your journal.You can start right now to be the author of your life!

Thursday, 17 May 2012

When I popped over to the @TABItarot blog yesterday, I was reminded how different styles of Tarot decks can offer new insights and change your interpretation of the cards.

Take for example the Fool images on the left; one is the well-known Rider Waite Smith (RWS) based image, the other is from the Lord of the Rings (LOTR) Tarot.

The Fool is one of my favourite cards in the Tarot; it's an image of enthusiasm, optimism, light-heartedness and promising new beginnings.

But my recent acquisition of the LOTR Tarot gave me a bit of a shock, when I saw the creepy shadow creature Gollum representing the Fool. The text on the card says: "Gollum, by a pool of water, considers the many possibilities open to him."

This isn't the regular Fool I'm accustomed to, who's just started on his journey, by daylight, open-minded and carefree. Instead, the LOTR image depicts a gloomy figure at night pondering his options with a dead fish in his hands. The mood is sombre, foreboding with a hint of fear and loathing.

The companion book offers an interesting explanation, why Gollum was chosen for this image (personally, I would have chosen Frodo, who embarks light-heartedly with his friends on a journey to destroy the ring): "Gollum belongs...on neither 'side', neither that of good nor that of bad...Gollum has his own agenda, his own individual sense of right and wrong..."

Whilst I do understand somewhat the reasoning behind the choice of Gollum as the Fool, it is also apparent how much his image can change the meaning of the Fool in a reading:

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

"Every loss is a gateway. It opens the heart. It strengthens our sense of empathy and the world heals from our softness." Raven Mardirosian

Having recently experienced loss and going through the accompanying emotional upheaval, I was wondering today, what message the Tarot would offer to help me heal.

Of course, I'm not expecting anything miraculous to happen; the healing process takes time, but sometimes even the simplest one-card reading with the right question asked can offer some soothing, encouraging even profound messages that guide you gently towards your goal of recovery.

The King of Cups is all about emotional maturity, and he can keep his feelings under control. At this moment in time I can completely relate to this card. Yet despite feeling emotionally in control, deep down I suffer but find it hard to let it show.

The King of Cups indicates hidden vulnerabilities and intense emotional undercurrents whilst trying to fulfil responsibility to nurture fellow sufferers; a slightly oppressive atmosphere perhaps, but it's fine by me for now.

For me this is a positive card to draw at this time. I'm holding it all together, and I know that emotionally I'm stronger than I sometimes think. Where am I? In a position of emotional power, in which I can help others to heal.

What healing messages does the King of Cups hold for you?
Warmest wishes,

Friday, 11 May 2012

Friday is usually a happy day for most people, so I thought I'd share with you an inspirational thought about Death, which I received in my inbox the other day.

For me it's the quintessential summary of this widely feared card, a message about detachment and renewal we can all embrace in a happily liberating way:

Die Alive

To the unenlightened, death comes but once a lifetime. To those who have chosen to become enlightened, there are a thousand chosen deaths before it's time to leave the body and move on. This kind of death is the releasing off all our attachments, from false identity to opinions, from people to possessions.

Cutting the subtle threads of attachment frees the spirit from fear, and when the time comes to move on, it's like 'shooting the breeze'.

Dying alive is simply letting go of all you hold fast to in your mind. It doesn't actually mean losing anything, simply changing your relationship with the things in your life today.

The greatest pleasure for every soul is the result of choosing the living death called detachment. Why? Because attachment is a form of slavery, and it all takes place in our own minds. And the result of detachment? Real freedom. -Thoughtfortoday.org.uk

Sunday, 6 May 2012

"Being solitary is being alone well: being alone luxuriously immersed in doings of your own choice, aware of the fullness of your won presence rather than of the absence of others. Because solitude is an achievement." Alice Koller

The Hermit is my personality card, and it sums me up quite nicely; I enjoy my own company, solitude fires my imagination, it inspires me, and I get things done. Don't get me wrong; I do enjoy the presence of good and beloved people around me, but at the same time, my days of regular nightclubbing, parties and frequent tiring business trips to sustain a demanding career in export sales are definitely over, and I'm very glad about that.

The card you can see here is from my own deck-in-progress, the Tarot of Quotes. The frog lives in my garden pond tub and enjoys observing the bright world from the protective darkness of his overturned flower pot.

The quote I've chosen for this image reflects my Hermit personality. Often people mix up solitude with loneliness or isolation, but that's a mistake. Loneliness is unpleasant, isolation is restricting, whereas solitude is bliss. The Hermit in Tarot is on the threshold of spiritual ascension; having turned away from the need for excessive material possessions, his focus is now on simplicity and nature, physical and emotional well-being.

"Inside myself is a place where I live all alone, and that's where I renew my springs that never dry up." Pearl Buck

In a reading, the Hermit suggests withdrawal from the hustle and bustle of life, the need to reflect, simplify one's lifestyle and connect with nature. The Hermit also indicates that there are spiritual lessons to be learned from issues that need to be resolved; a chance to illuminate and nurture one's hidden inner wisdom and for spiritual growth.

"No man should go through life without once experiencing healthy, even bored solitude in the wilderness, finding himself depending solely on himself and thereby learning his true and hidden strength." Jack Kerouac

"When we cannot bear to be alone, it means we do not properly value the only companion we will have from birth to death - ourselves." Eda LeShan

How easy is it for you to be alone and just simply "be"? When was the last time you took a break from your busy life?

Use the energies of the Hermit to detach yourself from the issues that make you feel stressed or worried, take time out to reflect and re-evaluate your chosen path ahead by listening to your inner guide.

Friday, 4 May 2012

At one point in our lives, we will all encounter a major crisis point - bereavement, divorce, relationship breakdown, unemployment, ill health, financial hardship, mental breakdown...

When you experience a significant Tower moment, the initial shock and feeling of numbness usually develops into a variety of painful emotions, from anger to depression.

What will keep you going is your focus on acceptance of the situation and subsequent recovery. Each person deals with pitfalls and setbacks in their own unique way and in their own time. Some people quickly get back on their feet, while others take much longer to come to terms with their situation.

The Tarot is an excellent tool to help you on your way to recovery and renewal; a simple healing spread used regularly can help you improve the way you feel and transform your life over time.

You can use as little or as many cards as you like; choose from the following prompts, which are most relevant to you, or use all of them as a powerful healing meditation:

As you can see, there are eight positional meanings for this spread; eight is the number of regeneration and rebirth. Trump number 17 (1 + 7 = 8), the Star, usually depicts an eight-pointed central star.

You can lay out the cards in a star-shaped arrangement to help you manifest the healing and transformational powers of the Star and this healing spread. Numerically, the Star is linked to trump no. 8, Strength. In addition to this healing meditation, you could also explore, how the energies of Strength can benefit you on your healing journey.

Over the coming weeks I will demonstrate this healing spread here on my blog, but in the meantime, why not try it for yourself? And please do let me know how it's worked for you.

Wednesday, 2 May 2012

The full moon in Scorpio will be opposite the Taurus sun on 6th May this year. Astronomically, this will also be the largest full moon of the year as it will be closest to the earth. In Tarot terms, we will experience the intense energy combination of the contented earthy Hierophant (Taurus) and the deeply feeling, emotional Death (Scorpio).

On the one hand, we may feel grounded and secure, but beneath the surface intense feelings may be brooding - passion, desire, elation, sorrow - we will need to make sense of emotional needs we are suddenly confronted with, and let them unravel and be expressed with integrity.

Taurus loves simplicity, structure, routine and engagement with people on a straight-forward level. Put Scorpio into the mix, and we are faced with the desire to get deeper on an emotional level, which will make our interactions with people a little more complicated.

The Hierophant/Taurus energy can be superficial at times, but Death/Scorpio is emotionally intense; we will feel the need to read between the lines, to question our limiting habits and fears and seek passion and intimacy. Power issues may arise, and we are urged to uncover our own inner power rather than succumbing to helplessness and despondency.

The full moon in Scorpio combined with the sun in Taurus energy is a benevolent combination, and it has the potential to be transforming and regenerative, but perhaps not entirely without discomfort. Use this powerful energy to:

getting rid of old things

stop unhealthy habits like smoking or drinking alcohol

work on resolving intimacy issues

any kind of research

psychic, psychological work and self-examination

assessment and review of your spending and finances

letting go and moving on from past issues

transform negativity or make a clean break

What to avoid: brooding, making assumptions, manipulation, suspicions, surrendering to doubts and fears

The Death/Scorpio full moon may reveal some painful emotions, but they can lead to moving out of stagnation towards positive change, which will be grounded in the earthy security of the Hierophant/Taurus sun. A great chance for spiritual cleansing, healing and renewal by facing your demons without fear.

How are you making use of the Taurus/Scorpio energies this week? What additional insights does the Hierophant/Death combination on the image above offer you?

Glossary

(Source: reference.com)

Arcana - Latin arcanum meaning secret, mystery. The Tarot is divided into the Major (22 Trump cards) and the Minor (56 Pip cards) Arcana. Paul Christian, a student of the French Occultist and authorÉliphas Lévi, first used the term arcane for the two sets of cards in the 18th century.

Clairvoyant - "one who sees clearly"; the apparent ability to gain information about an object, person, location or physical event through extra-sensory perception.

Divination - practice of foreseeing future events or obtaining secret knowledge through communication with divine sources and through omens, oracles and signs. It attempts to make known those things that neither reason nor science can discover.

Extra-sensory perception - ability to acquire information independent of any known physical senses or deduction from previous experience; also called the '6th sense'; this includes precognition (seeing the future), clairvoyance, intuition.

Esoteric- Greek esoterikos meaning inner, within, "inwardness". Esoteric knowledge is that which is available only to a narrow circle of "enlightened", "initiated", or specially educated people. Esoteric items may be known asesoterica. In contrast, exotericknowledge is knowledge that is well-known or public.

Intuitive - ability to sense or know immediately without reasoning; to have a 'hunch', 'gut feeling', following one's 'instinct'.

Magic (sorcery) - also spelled Magick - a conceptual system that asserts human ability to control or predict the natural world (including events, objects, people, physical phenomena) through mystical, paranormal or supernatural means.

Medium - a person, who has the ability to make contact with spirits of the dead, and entities such as angels and demons. A spiritual medium, also called spiritualist, may allow his or her body to be taken over by spirit entities and as a result may fall into a trance to pass on their messages.

Occult - Latin occultus meaning hidden, concealed. Occultism is the study of occult or hidden wisdom. To the occultist it is the study of "Truth", a deeper truth that exists beneath the surface: 'The truth is always hidden in plain sight'. The term occult is often falsely associated with devil worshipping and black magic. "Even the simplest occult studies are dangerous for those who are not willing to lead pure and upright lives in any circumstances." Annie Horniman, Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn